Thoughts in Writing 6

I find that today there seems to be an attitude among the youth that they deserve to get what they ask for. I myself seem to think that they believe this is an era of entitlement for them.
Growing up in the "old days", we did with what we had, and were grateful for what we got. It wasn't that my parents were strict or mean, just average middle class family.
I think that growing up during the war years it was tough to obtain things since rationing was in effect. For a few dollars more a person could get what he/she asked for. But at that time, wages were low and goods were scarce. A feeling of patriotism was throughout the country. Everybody suffered.
Today, we have a different point of view. Even though there is a war being fought, there are many that do not agree with it. It is nothing new, remembering Vietnam and the peace movement. Since those days, the country has had some very prosperous decades and the population as a whole has enjoyed prosperity to some extent. Of course there are those unfortunates who still do live in poverty.
Considering that one must have a job to get a better way of life it is a catch 22 when job seekers cannot get work to support their family. The public assistance programs also do not offer much help.
I do not mean to begin a discussion on immmigration and how jobs are being lost to unskilled workers who work for cash. Some of these day laborers are skilled, or have been trained to do what the employer wants done. After all, the U.S. did not send all of its work force around the world to build up cities from scratch.
I mean that a person making minimum wage is having a difficult time providing even the essentials. A student will accept this hoping that they will get the chance to earn after they finish school, but as I have pointed out, the student loans hold them back. It is an everyday situation to see the young people working to put a little extra in their pockets. And a good thing too.
But some of the young growing up today feel that they are entitled to get what they want when they want it. And the demands fall to the parents and relatives. It is not obvious to them that in order to give them something, then something else must be taken away. And in many cases it becomes the casual or relaxing dinners, movies, concerts, etc. that are missed. But the young get to go to their party or event with hardly more than a thank you, if even.
Discipline is lacking in many of these young and they do not want to be criticized over it. There is no such thing as self-denial for the good of the person, let alone the family. It is a matter of self-centered ness on their part. I have seen some very selfless acts of kindness performed by the youth with no asking of reward. But it appears that for every good deed there must be a good fortune to follow. It is not a conscious thing, but an expected one. And resentments can and do erupt when there is no positive reimbursement for the deed.
Living in the metropolis of a large city it is relatively easy to travel about using public transportation. But in the suburbs the only means of travel becomes the feet, a bicycle, or a car. And in order to drive a car, one must have a license and then register and insure the car. For young people the rates are very high. But young people have statistically shown to be poor drivers in the beginning. And accidents do happen. And repairs must be made. And a car does not run on water in the tank. It is a never ending situation that goes from bad to worse to getting better.
And these young people begin to understand that they need to have their own space to accomplish what they need or want. And the total package of rent, utilities, and food begin to weigh heavy on them. They must turn to someone for help. And the parents and relatives do understand. But the ones that compare their auto to the next kid whose parents are well off, and the ones that live in a rental in a low income area seem to have it in their heads that they should not be there. But again, it is the amount of money one earns that allows them to have luxuries, such as late model cars and co-ops.
It takes time for the youngsters to learn what their parents learned the hard way. And most do get to be grateful for it. It instills confidence, self worth and the desire to get ahead.
I have mostly great hope and thoughts for todays youth. But as always, there are some that leave me wondering if the future holds opportunity for advancement in financial and mental successes.
GOOD FORTUNE TO ALL.